Posts by DahvidC

There was a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine by Kara E. Shinder, et al, published on February 4, 2026 titled “Floppy Eyelid Syndrome.“

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Abstract

A 39-year-old woman with obesity presented with a 6-week history of foreign-body sensation and tearing in both eyes. She reported daytime fatigue and snoring. Examination showed marked laxity of the upper eyelids.

Disease Entity

Floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) is an underdiagnosed, frequently bilateral eyelid malposition commonly involving the upper eyelids, presenting as recurrent or chronic ocular surface irritation and chronic papillary conjunctivitis of upper palpebral conjunctiva from severe eyelid laxity. It has a strong association with obesity, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), etc.

Etiology

The extensive eyelid laxity can be attributed to significant decrease in elastin content when eyelid tissue was examined by special stains, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. Mechanical stimulation of the lid results to the upregulation of enzymes causing elastolysis which degrades the elastic properties of the lid, resulting to tarsal laxity. Collagen content has not been noted to be decreased in these patients. This decrease in elastin content may explain the spontaneous eversion ("floppy") of upper eyelids especially at sleep, leading to chronic irritation and inflammation of the tarsal and palpebral conjunctiva being mechanically irritated by constant rubbing with the pillow. It has been observed that patients who sleep on one side more than the other side tend to have more severe changes on that side. This finding suggests mechanical injury as the primary cause of the papillary conjunctivitis in patients with FES. Other postulated pathophysiology suggests that the cause of the chronic conjunctivitis is poor apposition of the lax upper eyelid to the globe with inadequate spreading of the tear film.

Association

FES is known to be associated with obesity, male gender, obstructive sleep apnea, Down syndrome, and keratoconus. Keratoconus can also be linked to frequent rubbing and mechanical effect of upper eyelids on the cornea. Like a few other eyelid conditions related to upper or lower eyelid laxity, it is far less commonly seen in East Asians.

Diagnosis

History

Patients initially present with non-specific symptoms including eye irritation and a long history of unilateral or bilateral ocular redness and discharge. They may describe the eyelids spontaneously "flipping over" when they sleep, especially in prone position, due to rubbing on the pillow. Some patients may have a history of preexisting obstructive sleep apnea and/or history of heavy snoring. These symptoms in association with increased body mass index, or a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and the ethnicity should alert the ophthalmologist about the possibility of floppy eyelid syndrome . However, many reports have also documented the symptoms and signs of floppy eyelid syndrome in patients of both genders and without a history of obesity or sleep disorders.

Physical Examination

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Easy eversion of the eyelid without excess manipulation or even spontaneous eversion is an important examination mark for FES with subsequent increased horizontal laxity and redundancy of the lid. The lateral upper eyelid may appear elongated and imbricate (overlap) over the edge of the lower lid margin. Chronic severe papillary conjunctivitis with whitish mucus discharge is often present.

Diagnostic procedures

There is no diagnostic test for this entity. It is primarily a clinical diagnosis based on history, clinical features and systemic association. It should be directed to address possible associated conditions including obstructive sleep apnea and obesity. When possible, affected patients should be managed in cooperation with internal medical team and sleep disorder specialist.

Management

Supportive measures such as ocular lubrication, nighttime ophthalmic ointment and temporary antihistamine in addition to prevention of the upper lid from everting during sleep by taping the eyelids laterally or the use of eye shield can be effective in solving the patient's complaints temporarily. Addressing underlying obesity, obstructive sleep apnea and avoiding sleeping in the prone position may also improve symptoms. If there is minimal response to medical treatment, surgical procedures such as horizontal eyelid shortening with a lateral tarsal strip procedure can help to relieve ocular symptoms and provide good functional and cosmetic results. Surgery should be considered in significantly symptomatic patients.

General treatment

Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially fatal disorder. Frequent episodes of apnea and hypopnea can lead to systemic and pulmonary hypertension and, ultimately, congestive cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Patients need to be managed by a sleep specialist to prevent these potentially fatal conditions.

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The world and Caricom should speak with one voice and say no to these wicked people.

This is why there is a high crime rate in T&T people don't stand up to foolishness no accountability.

I really love this article its on point.

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Cuba and the moral cost of global silence

February 11, 2026

By Alicia Nicholls

We are barely into the second month of 2026, and already it feels as though the world has shifted beneath our feet. The pace of global change, or even upheaval, has driven many to tune out the news altogether. Yet here in the Caribbean we should not look away from what is unfolding in one of our neighbouring island states, Cuba.

For decades, Cuba has been more than a steadfast friend to the anglophone Caribbean. It has granted scholarships to our students to study medicine and other disciplines at its universities. It has provided health care to our citizens, sent doctors and nurses to assist us during the COVID-19 pandemic, sent soldiers to fight in anti-colonial struggles, and stood with countless countries globally in moments of crisis.

Following the Cuban Revolution of 1959 and since 1962, Cuba has been under a comprehensive US trade and economic embargo. Over time, these sanctions have been tightened, loosened and tightened again. They extend beyond US-Cuba bilateral trade, with the US seeking to apply it extra jurisdictionally to third countries and companies that do business with the island by leveraging its control of the global financial system as the world’s reserve currency. For a small island nation of roughly 11 million people and some 110,000 squared kilometers, this has meant decades of restricted access to many goods, services and investment.

While no government is without fault and there have been some governance challenges and restrictions on political freedoms, it is impossible to ignore the structural pressure exerted by more than a half a century of economic isolation imposed by the world’s most powerful country. Despite its economic and political challenges, Cuba has achieved social outcomes that rival far wealthier nations. Its life expectancy is on par with that of the US, while its child mortality rate is lower than the US’ and many countries with significantly higher GDP per capita. These achievements reflect sustained investment in universal health care and education, policy choices in keeping with its socialist ideology which prioritises the social development of its people.

Today, however, Cuba faces an acute humanitarian crisis. On January 29, 2026, the US branded Cuba an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to its national security and foreign policy and has taken measures to further restrict the island’s access to essential supplies. Regular oil shipments from Venezuela have ceased following the US’ invasion and removal of President Nicolas Naduro from that country. Other countries, such as Mexico, which had been supplying oil have been met with US threats of economic retaliation, including tariffs.

This escalation in US aggression is particularly concerning because in a world which still depends on fossil fuels, oil is not a luxury. It powers ventilators in intensive care units serving sick patients and premature babies. It runs water systems and electric grids. It keeps lights on in homes.

When fuel stops flowing, daily life begins to unravel. The result is widespread blackouts, queuing at gas stations, rationing of basic necessities, rising prices, and mounting strain on hospitals and households, prompting Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel to repeatedly condemn this latest escalation in US aggression, while maintaining Cuba’s openness to constructive dialogue. United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has warned of the humanitarian implications of this escalated US action. Starving Cuba of oil is to literally starve the Cuban people.

What is perhaps most troubling is the global silence, despite some perfunctory statements of solidarity made. Powerful nations have, thus far, stood by as Cubans endure growing shortages and hardship for daring to choose a governance model that does not accord with capitalist interests and for seeking to navigate an asymmetric international system on its own terms. It is, therefore, both unsurprising, but also deeply disappointing, that Caribbean countries, which were among the first to establish diplomatic ties with Cuba and each year call for the end of the unjust US embargo, have been largely silent on these latest aggressions.

It could very well be that regional leaders are quietly behind the scenes using diplomatic channels to engage the US government and legislators on this. But we also know that Caribbean governments have reportedly faced threats, such as tariffs, visa restrictions and economic retaliation, and some being allegedly forced to stop sending their students to Cuba.

For small states, the calculation is stark, either speak out and face victimisation or be silent and shield your own citizens on whom you depend for electoral support, from immediate harm. After all, if the more powerful countries lack the moral courage to stand up to the world’s most powerful country, who are we to do otherwise, right? But since when do we in the Caribbean determine our own morality by the actions of the most powerful? If the larger nations lack the courage to act, does that absolve us of our responsibility to come together and advocate for Cuba like we have done in the past?

Solidarity with the Cuban people is not optional, it is a moral imperative. Just like the ongoing genocide in Gaza, history will record and judge how the world responded in this moment. We as citizens are not powerless. We can push our governments to act. We can write, we can sign petitions, and we can organise to urge our leaders to engage bilaterally, and to advocate in regional and international fora. As individual governments we are limited, but by acting as a collective, we can advocate on behalf of Cuba, and for an end to this escalation and for the end of an embargo which has not only failed in its purpose but has only served to make the Cuban people stronger and more resilient.

Cuba has been a friend to us and to many around the world. It is our time, as a region and as a global community, to step up and be a friend to Cuba when it matters the most. Moral courage is neither easy, nor convenient, but necessary. The question before us is whether when this juncture in history is remembered, will we be able to say we raised our voices in solidarity with our hermanos y hermanas cubanos (Cuban brothers and sisters), or do we choose the ‘safety’ of silence. Whatever happens, I hope and pray that Cuba vencerá (Cuba will overcome).

• Alicia Nicholls, B.Sc., M.Sc., LL.B. is an international trade specialist and the founder of Caribbean Trade & Law Development.

The people must demand accountability for what took place, There is some evidence that this was done deliberately. heads need to roll at ttt. The dunce Bat needs to come with a more truthful statement.

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January 27, 2026

GENEVA, Switzerland – Healthy food in schools can help children develop healthy dietary habits for life, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which released a new global guideline on evidence-based policies and interventions to create healthy school food environments. For the first time, WHO is advising countries to adopt a whole-school approach that ensures food and beverages provided in schools and available throughout the broader school food environments are healthy and nutritious.

Childhood overweight and obesity are rising globally, while undernutrition remains a persistent challenge. Schools are on the front line of this double burden of malnutrition. In 2025, about 1 in 10 school-aged children and adolescents – 188 million – were living with obesity worldwide, surpassing for the first time the number of children who are underweight.

“The food children eat at school, and the environments that shape what they eat, can have a profound impact on their learning, and lifelong consequences for their health and well-being,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general. “Getting nutrition right at school is critical for preventing disease later in life and creating healthier adults.”

Healthy dietary practices begin early in life. Children spend a significant portion of their day in school, making it a critical setting for shaping lifelong dietary habits and reducing health and nutrition inequities.

Today, an estimated 466 million children receive school meals globally, yet there remains limited information available about the nutritional quality of the food they are served.

In the guideline, WHO recommends that schools improve food provision at schools to promote greater consumption of foods and beverages that support a healthy diet. Specifically:

• Setting standards or rules to increase the availability, purchase and consumption of healthy foods and beverages, while limiting unhealthy foods (strong recommendation);
• Implementing nudging interventions to encourage children select, purchase and consume healthier foods and beverages (conditional recommendation). Nudging interventions can include a change to the placement, presentation or price of food options available to children.

Policies alone are not enough, and monitoring and enforcement mechanisms are essential to ensure that guidelines are implemented effectively and consistently in schools. According to the WHO Global database on the Implementation of Food and Nutrition Action (GIFNA), as of October 2025, 104 member sStates had policies on healthy school food, with almost three quarters including mandatory criteria to guide the composition of school food. However, only 48 countries had policies that restrict the marketing of foods high in sugar, salt or unhealthy fats.

WHO convened a diverse, multidisciplinary group of international experts to develop this guideline through a rigorous, transparent, and evidence-based process. This work forms a cornerstone of WHO’s broader mission to create healthy food environments, and is implemented as part of global initiatives such as WHO acceleration plan to stop obesity and the nutrition-friendly schools initiative.

The guideline is designed to support action at both local and national levels, recognising that subnational and city authorities play a key role in advancing and implementing school food initiatives.

WHO will support member states to adapt and implement the guideline through technical assistance, knowledge-sharing and collaborations.

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There was a recent article in the Journal of Nature published by Anaïs Hasenböhler et al on January 7, 2026 titled “Associations between preservative food additives and type 2 diabetes incidence in the NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort.” The lengthy article is attached in three parts in a PDF format for your information, and below is a summary for your convenience.

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Experimental studies suggested potential adverse effects of preservative food additives, but epidemiological data are lacking. We aim to investigate associations between exposure to these compounds and type 2 diabetes incidence in the NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort (n = 108,723; 79.2%women; mean age=42.5 (SD = 14.6); France, 2009-2023). Dietary intakes are assessed using repeated 24h-dietary records. Exposure is evaluated through multiple composition databases and ad-hoc laboratory assays in food matrices. Associations between cumulative exposures to preservatives and diabetes incidence are characterized using multi-adjusted Cox models. The sum of total preservatives encompasses 58 substances. Among those, 17 are consumed by at least 10% of the study population and thus individually investigated. Thirteen (12 after multiple test correction) widely used individual preservatives are associated with higher diabetes incidence (n=1131cases): potassium sorbate, potassium metabisulfite, sodium nitrite, acetic, citric and phosphoric acids, sodium acetates, calcium propionate, sodium ascorbate, alpha-tocopherol, sodium erythorbate, and rosemary extracts. These findings call for their safety reevaluation and support recommendations to favor fresh and minimally processed foods without superfluous additives.

Preservatives are widely used to extend the shelf life of industrially processed foods, but previous research has suggested that some of these additives may have adverse metabolic effects. Out of 17 preservatives used by at least 10% of the study population, 12 were associated with a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes. Among the three and a half million foods and beverages listed in the Open Food Facts World database in 2024, more than 700,000 contain at least one of these additives. Preservatives are added to prolong the shelf-life of foods. They protect them against deterioration caused by micro-organisms and/or growth of pathogenic microorganisms, and by oxidation, such as fat rancidity and color changes.

The analysis included repeated 24-hour diet records of nearly 109 000 adults in France. Between 2009 and 2023, about 1100 people among the larger group were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that participants who were exposed to more preservative food additives were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, even after adjusting for nutritional content.

Many mechanisms may underpin the associations detected in this study, including metabolic and inflammatory disruption and/or altered insulin signaling pathway. Mouse model studies showed that coadministration of sorbate and fructose (monosaccharide naturally found in many foods and drinks) leads to altered liver function (steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis) associated with altered expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism. These observations are associated with disturbances in intestinal myco- and microbiota, while other studies have confirmed sorbate’s potential proinflammatory effects at hepatic and microbiota levels. Investigating the impact of potassium sorbate on pancreatic inflammation, related to type 2 diabetes onset, would be interesting.

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British Medical Journal

Published January 23, 2026

Colorectal Cancer: Deaths Rising in Under 50s But Mystery of What’s “Driving This Tsunami” Remains

Deaths from colorectal (bowel) cancer are increasing in people under 50s in the US, the only one of five leading cancers to do so, an analysis suggests. Researchers from the American Cancer Society examined changes in cancer mortality in the US between 1990 and 2023, focusing on the five leading causes of cancer death among under 50s: leukemia and brain, breast, lung, and colorectal cancer.

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They found that 1.27 million people died of cancer before the age of 50 over that period, but that the age standardized death rate had decreased from 25.5 to 14.2 per 100 000, a drop of 44%. But looking at each of the five cancers separately, they found that mortality had declined for all except one— colorectal cancer. It rose from the fifth most common cause of cancer death between 1990 and 1994 to the most common in 2023.

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People age 45 to 49 years make up 50% of cancer diagnoses that occur in those under 50, so increased screening uptake would prevent disease as well as death.

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After reading some of the comments i just wanted to say that some people will always be haters. Dr. Rowley did nothing wrong .

or undemocratic anyone to suggest otherwise is a liar from the pit of hell. Penny could of easily won the straw vote in Tobago and lead the PNM into the general elections. In my opinion the results would of been the same maybe even worse.

Penny may be the leader of the PNM now but she is not Innocent as some people are making her out to be. We can argue back and forth is she the right person to lead or not. The fact remains that the damage is done.

After the election loss what legitimate reason did the PNM MPS have for not appointing Mr. Young as Opposition Leader? Was it in the party interest to change leader then or Personal interest.

Nothing based on lies and dishonesty will last. Just like KPB if Penny ever becomes PM of this country she will never be able to govern effectively mark my words.

I done talk.

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EXPLAINER - News|US-Venezuela Tensions

Which countries host the largest Venezuelan populations?

About 8 million Venezuelans, or a quarter of the population, have fled their country in recent years. Al Jazeera takes a look at where they live now.

(Al Jazeera)

By Alia Chughtai Published On 12 Jan 202612 Jan 2026

After the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the United States on January 3, nearby countries that host large Venezuelan communities, including Colombia and Peru, have warned of a potential new influx of refugees if the country is distabilised.

The Venezuelan diaspora remains one of the largest in the world with at least 7.9 million people living outside the country as of early 2026, primarily due to nearly a decade of ongoing political and economic crises.

In this visual explainer, Al Jazeera unpacks where Venezuelans are living abroad, what protections they have and what the abilities are for Venezuelans wishing to travel.

Which countries host the most Venezuelans?

Venezuelan migration started with a small group of mostly professionals leaving the country after leftist leader Hugo Chavez became president in 1999, promising to change the old political system, which was stacked against the poor and the Indigenous people, with more than half of the population falling below the poverty line.

During one decade of Chavez’s rule, the country ramped up government spending using the revenue from oil sector. Millions of people were lifted from extreme poverty.

In 2013 after the death of Chavez, Maduro came to power and inherited high levels of debt and rising inflation. By 2014 as oil prices plummeted, these challenges escalated into an economic collapse.

The resource-rich nation experienced a deep depression and soaring inflation, making the cost of living unbearable. This situation led hundreds of thousands of people to flee abroad, primarily to countries within South and Central America as well as a significant number migrating to the US.

By June, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had tracked nearly 8 million refugees and migrants around the world with 6.7 million (85 percent) of them in Latin America and the Caribbean.

(Al Jazeera)

The top host countries are:

1. Colombia – 2.8 million
2. Peru – 1.7 million
3. US – 987,600
4. Brazil – 732,300
5. Chile – 669,400
6. Spain – 602,500
7. Ecuador – 440,400
8. Argentina – 174,800
9. Mexico – 106,000
10. Dominican Republic – 99,700

What protections do Venezuelans have?

UNHCR lists Venezuelans under a unique category of displaced persons due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in their home country.

This classification allows them access to essential services, such as legal assistance, healthcare and shelter in host nations.

In Colombia, the region’s primary host with 2.8 million Venezuelans, the Temporary Protection Statute provides a 10-year residency permit. In the United States, a temporary protected status for Venezuelans was revoked in late 2025 by the Trump administration, leaving more than 600,000 Venezuelans uncertain about their future and legal status to live and work there.

The Trump administration also deported hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants, some of them to notorious prisons in El Salvador. Rights groups say many of them were tortured and sexually abused there.

According to the UN, nearly half of the Venezuelans who have left the country rely on informal, low-paid work, 42 percent struggle to afford enough food and 23 percent live in overcrowded housing.

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Venezuelans who previously lived in the US under temporary protected status are now eligible to apply for asylum [File: Yuki Iwamura/AP]

How strong is the Venezuelan passport?

Despite Venezuela’s unstable political and economic situation, its passport remains one of the stronger travel documents in the world, according to the 2026 Passport Index.

It currently ranks 42nd globally, providing visa-free, visa-on-arrival or e-visa access to 124 countries.

Venezuela has a longstanding visa waiver for the Schengen Area, allowing 90 days of visa-free travel to most of Europe. Additionally, Venezuelans may enter and work across much of South America due to decades-old regional mobility treaties.

(Al Jazeera)

But is it true tomatoes are not good at all for people who suffer from Arthritis?

Great solutions !

There was a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine by Monique J. Roobol et al, published on October 29, 2025 titled “European Study of Prostate Cancer Screening — 23-Year Follow-up. “ The article is attached in PDF format for your information, and below is a summary for your convenience.

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BACKGROUND

The European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) was initi­ated in 1993 to assess the effect of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing on prostate cancer mortality. Because deaths from prostate cancer are expected to rise worldwide owing to increased life expectancy and population growth, a final analysis of the long-term outcomes of prostate cancer screening is essential to understanding the benefits and harms of PSA testing.

METHODS

We updated the findings from ERSPC, a multicenter, randomized study conducted across eight European countries with a focus on a predefined core age group of 162,236 men who were 55 to 69 years of age at the time of randomization. Participants were randomly assigned to the screening group and offered repeated PSA testing or to the control group and not invited for screening. The primary outcome was prostate cancer mortality.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 23 years, prostate cancer mortality was 13% lower in the screening group (rate ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 0.95), and the absolute risk reduction was 0.22% (95% CI, 0.10 to 0.34). The cumulative incidence of prostate cancer was higher in the screening group than in the control group (rate ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.26 to 1.33). At a median of 23 years of follow-up, one death from prostate cancer was prevented for every 456 men (95% CI, 306 to 943) who were invited for screening, and one death from prostate cancer was averted for every 12 men (95% CI, 8 to 26) in whom prostate cancer was diagnosed, as compared with one death from prostate cancer prevented for every 628 men (95% CI, 419 to 1481) and one death averted for every 18 men (95% CI, 12 to 45) at 16 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term follow-up confirms a sustained reduction in deaths from prostate can­cer with PSA testing, alongside an improved harm–benefit ratio. Future screening strategies should adopt risk-based approaches to minimize overdiagnosis while maintaining clinical benefits.

INTERPRETATION

Prostate specific antigen screening reduces the risk of death from prostate cancer by 13%, one of the largest randomized studies of its kind concludes. This overall reduction in mortality was similar to that seen with breast or bowel cancer screening. The results of the study, with a median follow-up of 23 years, come amid ongoing debate about the value of a PSA based screening program, owing to the substantial risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

The European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer, conducted across eight European countries from 1993 to 2003, included 162 236 men aged 55 to 69 years.

DISCUSSION

Prostate cancer mortality is projected to double worldwide by 2040 owing to increased life expectancy and population growth. Therefore, the role of early detection and treatment to counter this burden remains a public health priority. Given the typically slow progression of prostate cancer and the competing risk of death from other causes, current guidelines recommend against routine PSA screening in men over 70 years of age or those with a life expectancy of less than 15 years. Nonetheless, up to 40% of men 75 years of age or older continue to undergo PSA screening.

The harms associated with PSA-based screening, including unnecessary testing, biopsies, overdiagnosis, and subsequent overtreatment, remain a critical concern. With only 16% of PSA tests yielding elevated results and merely 24% of the subsequent biopsies confirming prostate cancer, a considerable number of these tests and procedures may have been unnecessary. More important, considerable harm arises from the overdiagnosis and subsequent overtreatment of tumors that are unlikely to cause prostate cancer illness or death, as indicated by the excess incidence of prostate cancer of 27 cases per 1000 men and, in particular, the doubling in detection of low-risk cancers in the screening group. These findings highlight the need for a more targeted strategy for prostate cancer screening that focuses on identifying population subgroups that are most likely to benefit from early detection while reducing unnecessary interventions for those with the highest risk of overdiagnosis.

A stepwise, risk-based approach, guided by risk stratification tools such as risk calculators and magnetic resonance imaging, limits biopsies to men with a confirmed elevated risk, a strategy that breaks the traditional link between elevated PSA and immediate biopsy. Several ongoing, population-based, randomized screening trials that incorporate a risk-based screening approach have shown a reduction in unnecessary biopsies and detection of low-grade prostate cancer while maintaining detection of high-grade cancers. This improved ratio of the detection of high-grade to indolent cancers, as compared with traditional PSA-based screening, suggests a substantial reduction in overdiagnosis.

In addition, the frequency of PSA screening plays a key role in balancing benefits and harms — more frequent PSA screening, such as annual testing, is associated with greater potential benefit but also with increased risk of harm. Although the optimal screening interval remains debatable, unnecessary repeated screening may be reduced by limiting screening in men with very low PSA levels at baseline or a PSA value of 1 or less at age 60, both of which indicate a very low risk of death from prostate cancer. Given the strong association between age and the prevalence of prostate cancer, particularly high-risk disease, as well as the global rise in life expectancy, determining the appropriate age range for screening is a key question.

This large study, including more than two decades of follow-up, shows a reduction in prostate cancer mortality of 13% in favor of PSA screening.

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The was an article in the journal of Hypertension published by Pei Qin et al on November 17, 2025 titled “Chronic Pain and Hypertension and Mediation Role of Inflammation and Depression.” The article is summarized below for your convenience.

ABSTRACT

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BACKGROUND:

The association between chronic pain and incident hypertension is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations between different pain characteristics (pain type, location, and spread) and incident hypertension, and whether they were mediated by inflammation, depression, or medication.

METHODS:

In a cohort study of 206 963 UK Biobank participants, multivariable Cox-proportional regression was used to investigate the associations between pain at baseline, measured via a touchscreen questionnaire, and incident hypertension ascertained from linkage to health records. Mediation analysis was conducted to estimate the percentage of the association mediated by inflammation, depression, and medications.

RESULTS:

Over a median follow-up of 13.5 years, 19 911 (9.62%) participants developed hypertension. Compared with no pain, those with short-term pain (hazard ratio, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.03–1.17]), chronic localized pain (hazard ratio, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.14–1.26]), and chronic widespread pain (hazard ratio, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.52–2.00]) had an increased risk of hypertension. A dose-relationship also existed between the number of chronic pain sites and hypertension. Chronic headache, neck, back, abdominal, hip, and widespread pain were all associated with an increased risk of hypertension, as was chronic musculoskeletal pain. Together, depression (11.3%) and inflammation (0.4%), as measured by C-reactive protein, mediated 11.7% of the association between chronic pain and hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS:

People with chronic pain are at higher risk of developing hypertension, and this is partly explained by inflammation and depression. These findings reinforce the need for pain management, and the monitoring and early detection of hypertension.

INTERPRETATION:

Chronic pain may increase the risk of high blood pressure in adults. This study included about 207 000 participants from the UK Biobank. Participants reported on their pain via a questionnaire at baseline, and researchers collected data on their blood pressure readings over a median follow-up period of about 13 years. Chronic pain was characterized as lasting at least 3 months.

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The researchers found that individuals with short-term, chronic localized, and chronic widespread pain had a higher risk for hypertension than individuals with no pain. Chronic abdominal, headache, and neck pain were also associated with elevated risk, as was having a greater number of chronic pain sites.

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Depression and levels of C-reactive protein, which is indicative of inflammation, were the main mediators of hypertension in people with chronic pain.

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British Medical Journal

November 24, 2025

Nearly a Billion Women Face Domestic or Sexual Violence, Report Finds

Nearly one in three women worldwide—some 840 million—have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN suggests. The organizations also condemned the fact that rates of such violence had barely dropped in more than two decades.

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The data presented showed changes over time in the estimated global prevalence of physical or sexual intimate partner violence against women aged 15-49 from 2000 to 2023. In 2023, 25.8% of women aged 15-49 (uncertainty interval 23.7% to 28.8%) had experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence at some point in their life, which compared with 30.8% (27.9% to 34.4%) in 2000. For the first time the report includes national and regional estimates of sexual violence by someone other than a partner. Findings suggest that some 263 million women have experienced non-partner sexual violence since age 15.

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Women subjected to violence face unintended pregnancies, a higher risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections and experiencing depression. Sexual and reproductive health services are an important entry point for survivors to receive the high-quality care they need.

The report underscores the reality that violence against women begins early and risks persist throughout life. For example, in the past 12 months alone, 12.5 million adolescent girls 15-19 years of age or 16% have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner. While violence occurs in every country, women in least-developed, conflict-affected, and climate-vulnerable settings are disproportionately affected.

The rates of the Past 12 months prevalence of intimate partner violence among ever-married/-partnered women 15 years and older among the United Nations SDG regional and subregion classifications are ranked below from highest to lowest prevalence:

• Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand): 38%
• Central and Southern Asia: 18%
  • Southern Asia – 19%
• Least Developed Countries – 18%
• Sub-Saharan Africa – 17%
• Small Island Developing States – 17%
• Northern Africa and Western Asia – 14%
  • Northern Africa – 16%
• Oceania (including Australia and New Zealand) – 13%
• Eastern and South-Eastern Asia – 8%
• Latin American and the Caribbean – 7%
• Europe and Northern America – 5%

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LMAO

lol i have to close my eyes tight every time i get a stick.

They say flu shot don't stop the flu but it lower the impact that the flu has on your body. homemade flu boom can do the same.

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Published November 14, 2025

FDA Approves Nonhormonal Treatment for Menopausal Hot Flashes

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved elinzanetant, marketed as Lynkuet, for moderate to severe hot flashes due to menopause, the third FDA-approved nonhormonal treatment option for vasomotor symptoms, which include hot flashes and night sweats.

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Elinzanetant blocks 2 types of neurokinins, molecules involved in the brain’s temperature control system, to alleviate hot flashes. An invited commentary on one of the drug's clinical trials and a recent viewpoint highlight the value of nonhormonal options for menopause care. Results from a randomized clinical trial of year-long elinzanetant use in 628 postmenopausal women experiencing vasomotor symptoms were recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine. At 12 weeks, women taking elinzanetant experienced a daily reduction of 5.4 moderate to severe hot flashes compared with 3.5 in the placebo group, a 74% vs 47% decrease from baseline. Elinzanetant use was also associated with improved sleep and quality of life.

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Two trials previously published in JAMA showed significant improvements in vasomotor symptoms as early as at 1 and 4 weeks of treatment. Elinzanetant is expected to be available in capsule form in November. The FDA advised close monitoring because the drug may cause increased liver enzyme levels.

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Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and sleep disturbances are common menopause symptoms and adversely affect menopause-related quality of life. Menopause occurs between ages 45 and 56 years for 90% of women in the US. Growing evidence suggests that VMS and primary insomnia in menopause are driven, at least in part, by the effect of declining estrogen levels on the thermoregulatory function of the hypothalamus and hypothalamic neurokinin neurons, which is a target of Elinzanetant.

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By: wayne kublalsingh

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago is a co- contributor to USA illegal aggression towards Venezuela.

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British Medical Journal

November 12, 2025

England is facing one of the toughest ever winters in its history as an early wave of flu sweeps the nation, health officials warn. Flu rates have started climbing much sooner than usual this year, driven largely by cases in young adults and schoolchildren. And experts warn that the H3N2 strain, currently dominant in cases in England, mutated seven times over the summer, making it more severe than normal. Amid growing concern that hospitals will be overwhelmed this winter, health officials have urged all eligible groups, including people over 65, people with certain long term conditions, pregnant women, and children, to get vaccinated.

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The version of H3N2 that’s circulated worldwide this year “acquired 7 new mutations over the summer. That “means the virus is quite different to the H3N2 strain included in this year’s vaccine. The U.K. is heading “into what looks set to be a cruel winter, with flu cases being triple what they were this time last year. It’s picking up in Canada, too. H3N2 is generally thought to cause more illness and be worse for older adults than other strains. Japan is also experiencing an unusually early and harsh flu season that’s “unprecedented.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasn’t provided a detailed, national report on flu activity since Sept. 26th because of the government shutdown.

Will this year’s flu shot be helpful?

Global health officials and drugmakers select which viral strain to include in fall flu vaccines for the Northern Hemisphere each year in February, based on which types are circulating in the Southern Hemisphere. This year’s flu shots protect against three strains of influenza, including two types of influenza A and one type of influenza B. The annual flu shot doesn’t prevent people from getting infected with the flu. It’s mainly used to lessen the severity of the illness. Last year, the vaccine was up to 55% effective in keeping adults with the flu out of the hospital.

There are multiple types of flu; H1N1 causing the swine flu, which caused a pandemic in 2009, or H5N1, the current flu killing birds around the world. The new mutations have happened in a group of H3N2 influenzas.

So what can we do about it?

The vaccine will still trigger the body to produce antibodies that can recognize the influenza virus. The biggest benefits are anticipated to be in lessening the severity of the disease rather than stopping you getting ill or slowing the spread of the virus. And the flu vaccine protects against multiple strains of flu, each of which has the potential to cause their own waves of infections.

Meanwhile, doctors have been sent advice reminding them that early antiviral treatment reduces the risk of complications from flu. Japan is also going through an early flu season and has closed schools to help contain outbreaks. These are not Covid-style lockdowns, but short-term measures the country uses to disrupt the spread of the virus. Nobody knows for certain what will happen in the coming months.

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Published October 17, 2025

Normal BMI With Abdominal Obesity Associated With Cardiometabolic Risks

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More than 1 in 5 adults with normal body mass index (BMI) have abdominal obesity, according to a global study published in JAMA Network Open. Moreover, abdominal obesity with normal BMI was consistently associated with cardiometabolic risks in the analysis.

Researchers analyzed World Health Organization (WHO) survey data collected between 2000 and 2020 from more than 470 000 participants aged 15 to 69 years in 91 countries. Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference of at least 80 cm in females and 94 cm in males.

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The global prevalence of abdominal obesity was 45% overall and 22% among those with normal BMI. Abdominal obesity—even in people with normal BMI—was associated with hypertension, diabetes, and high total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

The findings suggest the need to use both BMI and waist circumference together, rather than in isolation, to provide a more complete and accurate assessment of cardiometabolic risk across diverse populations.

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West Indies legends Brian Lara and Sir Vivian Richards with CWI CEO Chris Dehring

ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Cricket West Indies (CWI) has expressed its deepest gratitude to West Indies legends Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Richie Richardson and Brian Lara, for their outstanding support and selfless contribution to CWI’s recent “Mission India” Corporate Engagement Tour.

The initiative, which took a delegation including CEO, Chris Dehring and chief commercial officer, Rupert Hunter to Mumbai and Delhi during the Men in Maroon’s recent test tour of India, focused on establishing new relationships for securing sponsorship and broadcast opportunities for West Indies cricket in that critical market.

Throughout the tour, the three icons devoted their time and energy to a packed schedule of meetings, luncheons, and dinners with potential sponsors, corporate partners, and broadcast media executives. Their presence generated tremendous enthusiasm, helping to reignite global interest in the West Indies brand.

CWI CEO Chris Dehring expressed his gratitude, saying:

“We owe an enormous debt of thanks to Sir Viv, Sir Richie and Brian for their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment. Everywhere we went we were received like royalty because of their presence, a powerful reminder of the legacy they built and the deep respect that West Indies cricket still commands. Their willingness to give of themselves so freely speaks volumes about their love and passion for West Indies cricket.”

A highlight of the tour was a special golf day featuring the legends, which brought together key stakeholders, including West Indies’ players and team management, in a relaxed and engaging setting. The well-attended event underscored the continued global admiration for the former greats and the unique appeal of West Indies cricket.

“The Mission India tour reaffirmed the immense power of our cricketing heritage,” added Dehring.

“These legends not only opened doors to major global corporations but met and spoke with the team and coaching staff prior to the second Test in Delhi, imparting their wisdom and inspiration. It was a unique privilege to bear witness to the impact and influence West Indies cricket and our legends still have on every level of society.”

CWI extends its deepest appreciation to the three icons for once again serving the game and region with distinction, helping to chart a stronger and more sustainable future for West Indies cricket.

This government do not care they are as wicked as the maga oppressors.

DahvidC wrote a new article:

Article

Overriding Challenges Facing Caribbean Regional Security

CNG MEDIA

October 21, 2025

Overriding challenges facing regional security

The content cannot be displayed because it is no longer available. Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, Chairmanship of the Regional Security System (RSS) Council of Ministers

CASTRIES, St Lucia – Amid the imminent general elections, Minister for Finance, Economic Development and the Youth Economy and Minister for Justice and National Security, Philip J. Pierre, citizen and regional security are…

DahvidC

October 22, 2025 at 8:11 AM

Quote

CNG MEDIA

October 21, 2025

Overriding challenges facing regional security

  The content cannot be displayed because it is no longer available.  Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, Chairmanship of the Regional Security System (RSS) Council of Ministers

CASTRIES, St Lucia – Amid the imminent general elections, Minister for Finance, Economic Development and the Youth Economy and Minister for Justice and National Security, Philip J. Pierre, citizen and regional security are…

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Published October 10, 2025

COVID-19 Linked to Lasting and Underrecognized Smell Impairment

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Patients may notice lasting changes to their sense of smell after SARS-CoV-2 infection. According to a study published in JAMA Network Open, these self-reports are often accurate indications of persistent olfactory dysfunction.

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About 3500 participants aged 18 years or older in the Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER)–Adult study filled out surveys on their perceived olfactory abilities, and a subset then completed an identification test of 40 different odors. Among participants who reported an altered sense of smell after COVID-19, about 80% had at least partial loss, with 23% having severe or total loss.

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The authors observed that many of those who didn’t report a change also had measurable dysfunction. About 66% of people who’d had COVID-19 but didn’t report sensory changes had some impairment to their sense of smell, as did 60% of those who hadn’t been infected, as confirmed with antigen testing. This suggests that unrecognized loss of the sense of smell is common in the general population and more so among those who’ve had COVID-19, the authors said. The study builds on findings suggesting an association between SARS-CoV-2 and olfactory dysfunction and notes that patients may underestimate their smell loss. Clinicians, the authors added, may consider formal smell testing for patients who’ve had COVID-19 to help guide counseling on potential risks, such as difficulty detecting hazards including smoke or spoiled food.

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The findings corroborate prior survey studies suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 is associated with persistent olfactory dysfunction. Patients with persistent olfactory dysfunction after SARS-CoV-2 infection had lower gray matter volumes both in the olfactory cortex and in other brain regions related to cognitive, sensory, and emotion processing than those without olfactory dysfunction. Historically, postviral olfactory dysfunction has not been considered to carry the same risk for cognitive dysfunction as age-associated or neurodegenerative disease–associated olfactory dysfunction, but large-scale data on this question are lacking.

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Olfactory dysfunction after Covid-19 may be associated with neurological changes in structural connectivity

Treatments for smell loss after SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as olfactory training, have shown some promise in facilitating recovery. Olfactory training encourages gradual recovery by repeated exposure to specific odors to stimulate neural pathways and is included in consensus guidelines for treatment. Platelet-rich plasma injections into the olfactory cleft are being studied with some early promising results. Adjunctive treatments have been explored with varying success, such as intranasal application of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation; sodium citrate, which may modulate olfactory signaling; and vitamin A supplementation, believed to support mucosal repair.

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The opposition is virtually silent on this. what the hell is going on ? not even Gary G-String parrot bottom mouth. The government should be pressed to let us know if we have Trinidad and Tobago citizens that are part of the " Narco Drug dealing networks"

DahvidC wrote a new article:

Article

Trinidadian Civilians Killed in US Airstrike as Trump Expands Bombing Campaign Near Venezuela

• Two men from Trinidad and Tobago were killed in a US airstrike near Venezuela, raising questions about Trump’s Caribbean bombing campaign and its impact on civilians.

By José Luis Granados Ceja

MEXICO, CITY, Mexico, (venezuelanalysis.com) – The Donald Trump administration is facing international scrutiny after a US airstrike on an alleged drug smuggling ship in the Caribbean reportedly killed two men from Trinidad and Tobago, making the third nationality to fall victim to the US bombing campaign.…

DahvidC

October 20, 2025 at 12:10 PM

Quote

• Two men from Trinidad and Tobago were killed in a US airstrike near Venezuela, raising questions about Trump’s Caribbean bombing campaign and its impact on civilians.

By José Luis Granados Ceja

MEXICO, CITY, Mexico, (venezuelanalysis.com) – The Donald Trump administration is facing international scrutiny after a US airstrike on an alleged drug smuggling ship in the Caribbean reportedly killed two men from Trinidad and Tobago, making the third nationality to fall victim to the US bombing campaign.…

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here was a recent perspective in the New England Journal of Medicine by V. Valayannopoulos et al, published on October 12, 2025 titled “DB-OTO Gene Therapy for Inherited Deafness. “ The article is attached in a PDF format for your information, and below is a summary for your convenience.

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BACKGROUND

Genetic deficiency of otoferlin, a protein critical to synaptic transmission by the sensory hair cells of the ear, causes congenital deafness. Medicines to treat the condition are lacking; children typically receive cochlear implants. DB-OTO is a dual adeno-associated virus 1 gene therapy that delivers human OTOF complementary DNA (encoding otoferlin) regulated by a hair cell–specific promoter.

METHODS

We conducted an open-label, single-group, first-in-human registrational study to evaluate DB-OTO. Children with OTOF variants and profound deafness (defined by an average audiometric threshold of >90 decibel hearing level [dB HL], indicating an inability to hear a gas-powered lawn mower) received an intracochlear infusion of DB-OTO in one or both ears. The primary efficacy end point was an average threshold on behavioral pure-tone audiometry (PTA) at week 24 of 70 dB HL or less, a clinical standard that generally avoids cochlear implantation and enables natural acoustic hearing. A key secondary end point was the presence of an auditory brain-stem response to a click stimulus at week 24. Safety assessments included adverse events, laboratory results, and vestibular testing.

RESULTS

A total of 12 children have been enrolled in the study. After a single infusion of DB-OTO, a PTA average threshold of 70 dB HL or less at week 24 (primary end point) and an auditory brain-stem response at or below 90 dB nHL (key secondary

end point) were found in 9 of the 12 participants (75%; 95% confidence interval). Six participants could hear soft speech without assistive devices, and 3 had average normal hearing sensitivity. A total of 67 adverse events occurred or worsened during or after treatment, none of which led to discontinued participation in the study.

CONCLUSIONS

DB-OTO gene therapy improved hearing in patients with OTOF-related deafness, enabling natural acoustic hearing and normalizing hearing sensitivity in 3 of 12 treated patients.

DISCUSSION

congenital deafness affects 1.7 per 1000 babies born in the United States and is predominantly caused by genetic deficiencies. variants in the gene encoding otoferlin, account for 1 to 3% of cases of congenital genetic deafness. Otoferlin functions as a calcium sensor expressed in inner hair cells and regulates synaptic transmission between sensory inner hair cells and the cochlear nerve.

Children with pathogenic variants in OTOF are typically born with profound deafness. Medicines for the treatment of OTOF-related deafness are lacking, and management involves lifelong use of cochlear implants. Although such implants provide a benefit, they

limit speech understanding and music appreciation, and use of the device is difficult in certain settings.

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Most participants had dramatic improvements that ended the need for cochlear implants and enabled natural acoustic hearing. None of the untreated ears showed spontaneous improvement, a finding consistent with those from our natural history benchmark analysis. By 24 weeks after treatment, several participants had had progression from an inability to hear a gas-powered lawn mower to the ability to detect whispers, which highlights intact inner ear structures that were amenable to gene therapy. Contrary to prevailing views that the efficacy of OTOF gene therapy might be limited to participants who receive it early in life, we observed benefits when DB-OTO was given to participants as old as 16 years of age.

By intervening early, the researchers expected DB-OTO to promote speech and language development. Of the four children followed for at least 48 weeks, one showed no response and was not assessed for efficacy outcomes after 36 weeks; the other three were tested for speech perception, and the resulting data provide supporting evidence that they have been learning to recognize and produce words and sounds in their native languages. One participant also showed distant sound detection; an inability to detect such sounds is a limitation of cochlear implants.

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